BSA Support Fund 

Each year the BSA Support Fund provides financial assistance to concessionary category members living in the UK.  Applicants can benefit from financial assistance towards research related expenses, attendance at conferences* and study group events, and thesis production costs.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Reside in the UK.
  • Be a BSA member in one of the concessionary categories (Early Career Researcher, Full-time student, Unwaged, Teacher or Retired).
  • Be a BSA member for a minimum 12 consecutive months prior to application.

Applicants are limited to one BSA Support Fund claim of up to £1000.  If you have applied for free Annual Conference registration and have been successful you may also apply to the Support Fund to assist your attendance*, i.e. travel/accommodation.

Applicants are asked to bear in mind when applying for conference subsistence costs that the committee may not have the opportunity to consider your application before the conference booking deadline or start of the conference. This will not, however, affect your application as funding for conferences may be awarded retrospectively.

The BSA Support Fund does not award grants towards the cost of course fees; for the purchase of books or equipment; membership fees or electronic journal subscriptions. If you need clarification as to whether your request for funding fulfills criteria for support, then please contact the BSA office.

The majority of funds are provided for:

  • Travel and subsistence for subject-related conferences and events
  • Research and/or fieldwork
  • Thesis production

*The Support Fund allocates a percentage of its budget to the BSA Annual Conference. This allocation provides free conference registration, on a first come, first served basis, to a number of BSA members who fall within the concessionary membership categories. Find out more about these places. The Support Fund Committee are unable to consider further applications for registration fees for this conference but if you have applied for free Annual Conference registration and have been successful you may apply to the Support Fund for further funds.

How to Apply

The form is available as a Word document which can be saved to a desktop to complete at your leisure. The document/application can then be forwarded to the BSA office as an email attachment. Guidance notes are available in the document, Support Fund Application Form.

Additional Sources of Funding

The BSA encourages applicants to approach other organisations and associations for funding. The BSA website is a good place to begin when searching for other sources of funding – see the Funding & Grants page.

Support Fund Committee 

  • James Green, Postgraduate Forum Convenor
  • Mark Doidge, Membership Services Director
  • Nicola Ingram, Membership Services Director